Song in the Sumatran Highlands

Rendition: "Suntiang Patah Batikam" 02/06/2004

Song: "Suntiang Patah Batikam"
Performance: Radio Republik Indonesia Bukittinggi, February 6, 2004
Context: Malam Suntuak/ Fundraiser
Type of Song: Ratok
People: Duration: 7.01
Structure: 5 pantun



Lyrics: 

Pantun 1: Mak Sawir

Batang

Minangkabau:
Oi.... Lagu Suntiang Patah Batikam
Karangan anak di nagari oi uwo oi
Tanang malah mandangakan 
oi mandangakan oi uwo oi

Indonesian:
Lagu Suntiang Patah Batikam
Karangan anak di nagari
Tenang malah mendengarkan

English:
The Song “Suntiang Patah Batikam”
A composition of an anak nagari
Calmness happens provided one listens

Isi

Minangkabau:
Asa basuluah di nan kalam
Pandai-pandai manjago api oi uwo oi
Di nan kalam api kok padam
di siko badan mako sansai oi uwo oi

Indonesian:
Asal obor di yang gelap
Sepandai-pandai menjaga api
Di yang gelap api jika padam
Di sini badan maka sengsai

English:
The origin of the torch in that which is dark
It is clever to watch the fire
In darkness to guard against the fire’s extinction,
Here the body is miserable.  

Interpretation of Pantun 1

Batang: The content of the batang is about the song itself. 
Isi: The moral of the isi can be summarized as to "take care in a specific task as the body is miserable if it fails."
 

Pantun 2: Upiak Malai

Batang

Minangkabau:
Oi.... Uda kini lai datang 
Bagurau samalam kini oi uwo oi
Taguah Lansano lai tibo 
oi lai tibo kak uwo oi

Indonesian: 
Uda sekarang lagi datang
Bagurau semalam sekarang
Teguh Lansano lagi tiba

English:
Uda have now come again
To have a bagurau this evening
[With] strength Lansano has arrived
 

Isi

Minangkabau:
Lah ditiliak ditimbang-timbang 
Pado marusak dalam hati oi uwo oi
Pado marusak dalam hati
Iyo bapisah ka ubek nyo 

Indonesian: 
Sudah ditilik ditimbang-timbang
Pada merusak dalam hati
Iya berpisah ke ubatnya. 

English:
Already judged to be considered 
Makes one sad in the heart,
The medicine is to separate from it. 

Interpretation of Pantun 2

Batang: There are lots of attendees for the evening 
Isi: If one thinks really hard about a certain effort or job that will break one, it is better to be left alone.

Pantun 3: Reni Agam

Batang

Minangkabau:
Oi.... dek rusuah bana kini bakandak
Bia nak kami mandendangkan nyo oi amak oi
Bia nak kami mandendang nyo
Dari jauah kan lai tibo.

Indonesian: 
Karena dukacita benar ini kehendak
Biar anak kami mendengarkan 
Dari jauh akan tiba lagi. 

English:
Because one really suffers for desires
Let anak kami listen
From afar, they will arrive again. 

Isi

Minangkabau:
Lah dicubo salamo ko
Nan baminyak campua jo aia kak uwo oi
Nan baminyak campua jo aia
Asa sampai baukia juo. 

Indonesian: 
Sudah dicoba salama ini
Yang berminyak campur dengan air
Asal sampai berukir juga.

English:
Already attempted for as long as this
That which has oil is mixed with water
In the end will also be engraved (permanent). 

Interpretation of Pantun 3

Batang: With a sad heart there is a request for a song which is desired by someone far away  
Isi: Something is already experienced, but it’s the soul of the person who is not honest.

Janang Announcement

Pantun 4: Upiak Malai

Batang

Minangkabau:
Indonesian: 
English:

Isi

Minangkabau:
Indonesian: 
English:

 

Pantun 5: Mak Sawir

Batang

Minangkabau:
Indonesian: 
English:

Isi

Minangkabau:
Indonesian: 
English:

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